Interim Administrative Measures for Internet Games
Interim Administrative Measures for Internet Games
Interim Administrative Measures for Internet Games
Order of the Ministry of Culture No. 49
June 3, 2010
The Interim Administrative Measures for Internet Games deliberated on and adopted at the executive meeting of the Ministry of Culture on March 17, 2010, are hereby promulgated and shall come into effect on August 1, 2010.
Minister: Cai Wu
Interim Administrative Measures for Internet Games
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Measures have been formulated in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Maintaining Computer Network Security, the Administrative Measures for Internet Information Services, and the relevant provisions of laws and regulations in order to strengthen the administration of internet games, regulate the orderly operation of the internet games market, and maintain the healthy development of the internet games industry.
Article 2 These Measures apply to operating activities such as internet game development and production, the online operation of internet games, the issuance of virtual currencies used for internet games, and virtual currency trading services.
For the purposes of these Measures, internet games shall mean game products and services that are composed of software programs and information data and are provided through the Internet, mobile communication networks, and other information networks.
The online operation of internet games shall mean the operating activities of providing, through information networks, game products and services for the public by utilizing user systems or charging systems.
Virtual currencies used for internet games shall mean virtual exchange tools that are issued by internet game operators, are bought directly or indirectly by internet game users using legal currency at a specified rate, exist outside game programs, are saved in servers in the form of electromagnetic records, and are expressed in specific digital units.
Article 3 The culture administrative department under the State Council is the department in charge of internet games. The culture administrative departments of the people's governments at or above the county level are responsible for the supervision and administration of internet games within their respective jurisdictions according to the division of duties.
Article 4 Any entity engaged in internet game operation activities shall abide by the Constitution, laws, and administrative regulations, maintain a priority on the interests of society and the protection of minors, promote and develop an ideological culture and a code of ethics that embody modern development and social progress, adhere to principles promoting the protection of public health and playing games in moderation, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of internet game users, and promote all-round development among people and social harmony.
Article 5 Internet game industry associations and other community organizations shall accept the guidance of culture administrative departments, formulate industry self-disciplinary norms, strengthen education on professional ethics, guide and supervise their members' operating activities, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of their members, and promote fair competition.
Chapter II Operating Entities
Article 6 Any entity engaged in internet game operating activities such as the online operation of internet games or issuance and transaction services for virtual currencies used for internet games shall satisfy the following conditions and obtain an Online Cultural Business Permit
1. Provide the name, domicile, organizational structure, and articles of association of the entity;
2. Provide the fixed scope of internet game business;
3. Have practitioners who meet the requirements of the State;
4. Have registered capital of no less than RMB 10 million; and
5. Satisfy conditions specified in laws, administrative regulations, and the relevant provisions of the State.
Article 7 Any entity that applies for an Online Cultural Business Permit shall file an application with the culture administrative department of the relevant province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government. The aforesaid culture administrative department shall decide whether or not to approve the application within 20 days of receiving the same. Where the application is approved, the department shall issue an Online Cultural Business Permit and make a public announcement; where the application is declined, the department shall notify the applicant of the same in writing and state its reasons.
The valid term for any Online Cultural Business Permit is three years. Where an entity intends to continue operating the business after the valid term has expired, it shall apply for a renewal 30 days prior to expiration.
Article 8 Where an internet game operator that has obtained an Online Cultural Business Permit changes its website name, domain name, legal representative, registered address, business address, registered capital, equity structure, or permitted business scope, it shall go through the formalities required to effect the change with the original permit issuing authority within 20 days of the date of the change in question.
The internet game operator shall display its Online Cultural Business Permit and other information on its website, at the user end of its products, in user service centers, and in other prominent positions; the domain name of the website it actually operates shall be consistent with the information declared.
Chapter III Content Rules
Article 9 internet games shall not contain any of the following content:
1.
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